Guardians Ballet returns to the Aquarium

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10-years-ago dancers from the Long Beach Ballet performed in the multimedia production of “The Guardians for the first time. Now, the ballet returns to the Aquarium the first weekend in March.

In 2011 Long Beach Ballet Director David Wilcox, was commissioned by the Aquarium of the Pacific, to create a ballet that told the story of how our society is damaging our oceans and, how marine life should be protected.

Director Wilcox created a tale we know all too well. Big business comes in to build and the power of industry begins to pollute and destroy marine life. The industry tycoon in this ballet sees firsthand how is big payday has dire consequences for the ocean. In 2011 Johnny Zhong was tasked to choreograph the critically acclaimed ballet.

He says he loves Long Beach, the ocean, and the aquarium, which has educated him about marine life. He says, “for me, the ocean is a different world. They are life. I think fish, are much smarter than humans. They are more loving. They live in the same place and I think they are the best thing in this world.”

He says that passion is what helped him bring this ballet to life. “We don’t really care how they live. We don’t care how they affect us as humans,” said Zhong. Choreographing “Guardians” was his opportunity to show the value and importance of ocean life.

Zhong, says the technology at the new Honda Visions Theater will help tell the story and pull the audience in. Megan Wilcox, who is the returning lead in the ballet says, with the first rendition of “Guardians” they had to build a stage under the Blue Whale and used drapes to give the feel of the ocean. She says now the experience will feel more real for the audience.

But the new technology is not all Wilcox is excited about. She says this experience is new for her as a dancer. “It’s a smaller stage,” said Wilcox. “It’s a circle. Normally when you perform ballet it’s always a rectangle, which has been a little bit of a challenge.”

Both Wilcox and Zhong believe the stage is what is going to give the audience a truly unique experience. And both believe “Guardians” will allow the audience to gain a new understanding and lend their support to both the Aquarium and the Long Beach Ballet.

“The arts don’t do super well in Southern California,” said Wilcox. She is hopeful Guardians will show those in attendance the value of the arts and why it is important to support their local ballet school.

Zhong said it is important that we understand how we are harming the ocean. “This is the only thing I can do. Choreograph the movements so the audience can see, that it’s a problem. That it’s a very bad problem. And we have to address it soon or, will be losing more life. More fish life.”

Showtimes for the “Guardians” ballet are Friday, March 4th, and Saturday, March 5th at 7:30 pm. Reserved seats are $65 and you can purchase tickets here https://longbeachballet.com/guardians-2022

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